Moldovan producers export over 5,000 tons of sweet cherries

Chisinau, 29 June /MOLDPRES/ - Moldovan producers exported over 5,000 tons of sweet cherries till mid-June, this year.    

According to the Moldova Fruct Association of Fruits Producers and Exporters, presently, agricultural producers from Moldova negotiate the sale of sweet cherries on new markets from the European Union. Entrepreneur Mariana Pislasu from the Ustia village, eastern Dubasari district, manages 50 hectares of orchards planted with modern varieties of sweet cherries, such as: Early Star, Skeena, Black Star, Kordia, Regina. This year, the entrepreneur exports sweet cherries to the Netherlands for the first time ever.    

„The sweet cherries have been earlier exported preponderantly to countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS); yet, this year, we have a new experience of export to the Netherlands. We use modern production technologies, we have varieties demanded by consumers, we hold three times the  GLOBALG.A.P. certificate, which confirms the observance of over 200 rigorous requirements in the production process; therefore, we hope to extent the export also to other countries of the European Union,’’ Mariana Pislaru said.  

Last year, the Dutch company bought plums and made imports of Moldovan table grapes and apricots on purpose of testing and this year it showed interest in sweet cherries. ‘’The sweet cherries from Moldova can compete with those produced in EU countries; yet, there are aspects dealing with the post-harvesting infrastructure, in which the local producers must invest: sorting lines for sweet cherries, packing. We want a long-lasting cooperation with fruits producers from Moldova; nevertheless, we can purchase only fruits certified with GLOBALG.A.P.,’’ Dutch importer Eric Hendrikx said.   

The areas planted with sweet cherries increased from 2.4 thousand hectares in 2011 to over 4,000 hectares in 2021. Varieties demanded on different markets, resistant to cracking and carriage, are planted in the new orchards, with new production technologies implemented. In 2021, about 70 per cent of the overall exports were made to Russia, 23 per cent – to Belarus and 7 per cent – to other markets.      

Photo: Moldova Fruct